Two Drug Delivery Cases In Court

Two cases involving the alleged sale of drugs were among those listed on the docket last Tuesday to be heard by Fulton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Carol L. Van Horn.

Having recently changed her plea to not guilty, 65-year-old McConnellsburg woman Beverly Louise Spriggs appeared for call of the criminal trial list on July 12. Charged with delivery and possession of a controlled substance in two different cases dating back to October 2010, Spriggs was represented during the court proceeding by defense attorney Royce Morris.

In connection with an incident that reportedly occurred on October 21 at the Spriggs residence located at 131 Heritage Drive, she entered a plea of guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance. Spriggs explained to the judge she received a telephone call from an individual wishing to purchase Oxycontin tablets. Having had the pills already in her possession, three tablets were allegedly exchanged for $90.

In addressing her plea of guilty to delivery of a controlled substance, Spriggs stated the same individuals contacted her a week later on October 28 requesting additional pills. Three 40 milligram Oxycontin tablets were purchased at a cost of $30 each by the individual, who was serving as a confidential informant for Pennsylvania State Police officers.

Judge Van Horn said in reviewing the number of continuances already granted in these cases, there would not be any more delays. Prior continuances were granted due to lack of counsel and withdrawal of a plea.

With the presentence investigation report already completed by the Fulton County Probation Office, Spriggs is set to be sentenced on September 27.

The court also addressed a case involving Bedford County resident Michael Andrew Becker, who appeared in court last Tuesday with defense attorney Annie Gomez for mandatory arraignment. Becker, 32, was arrested in late February on two counts each of delivery and possession of a controlled substance by Pennsylvania State Police in Hollidaysburg.

In an affidavit of probable cause filed by vice officers, police maintain a confidential informant agreed to purchase heroin from Becker, who would “make a run to York to pick up a brick of heroin.”

The informant and Becker, of 275 Weight Road, Artemas, met at a parking area along Taylor Road at 9:30 a.m. on February 26. The informant reportedly gave $300 in marked bills to Becker.

Following a telephone call to announce his pending arrival several hours later, Becker returned to the parking lot in Dublin Township at 7:55 p.m. He allegedly retrieved two bundles containing 20 bags of heroin from a toolbox in the rear of a 1999 Mercury Mountaineer, police said in the charging documents.

With the informant having observed additional suspected drugs in the toolbox, state police officers stopped the vehicle and placed Becker under arrest. Using a search warrant, troopers reportedly located 16 additional bags of heroin inside the vehicle as well as a one-quarter pound of suspected marijuana. Both the heroin and marijuana were field tested with positive results.

Becker waived arraignment proceedings and entered a plea of not guilty to all charges against him. He remains free after having posted bail in early March and will next appear in court for call of the criminal trial list in October.